For people diagnosed with cancer, an oncology social worker is an important member of the health care team. An oncology social worker provides counseling, education, and information services, and referrals to community resources to people with cancer and their families and friends. In addition, an oncology social worker helps people navigate the health care system and find support to manage the day-to-day challenges of living with cancer.

Taking care of the whole person

For most people, a cancer diagnosis brings new feelings and experiences, and an oncology social worker can help people work through these aspects of a cancer diagnosis. An oncology social worker understands that there are many aspects of a person’s life that contribute to his or her cancer experience, such as a person’s ethnicity, spirituality, and family situation, and that cancer affects each person in a different way. He or she talks to people about the different aspects of adjusting to the cancer, and helps find strategies to adapt to and manage health care concerns. Talking with a professional who has helped other people manage similar situations may help a person find ways to improve his or her quality of life, manage fears, and find hope. This process can happen through individual, couples, and family counseling; support groups; and referrals to community agencies that have additional support programs.

Understanding new roles and responsibilities

A person with cancer may wonder how parents, children, friends, and coworkers will react to the diagnosis. An oncology social worker can help a person cope with these reactions. People may also wonder if there will be changes in their ability and desire to keep up with the many responsibilities of their life, such as a demanding job, taking care of young children, or helping an older parent. A social worker can arrange a meeting to talk about how those roles and responsibilities might change, and about what kind of support a person needs while going through treatment.

A bridge to the medical care team

Another role of an oncology social worker is a liaison between the person with cancer and the medical team. Because an oncology social worker has advanced training in cancer treatment and how these treatments affect a person with cancer, he or she can help people and their families understand the treatment options. For example, an oncology social worker helps gather and organize the information people need to make decisions about their care and arrange a meeting with the patient, family members, and the medical team to discuss the patient’s care and treatment options. A social worker can also refer people to additional educational resources and to community organizations that have information about cancer and treatment.

Accessing resources

An oncology social worker helps people connect to the resources they need to find practical help. For some people, this involves a referral to the financial aid office of the hospital, or instructions for applying for disability, or an explanation of rights covered under the Family Medical Leave Act. For others, it means learning about support groups at a local community wellness center. An oncology social worker can also help begin discussions about the cost of cancer care.

Helping with relationships and intimacy

People living with cancer may have questions about how their treatment will affect their relationship with their spouse or partner, including sexual intimacy. An oncology social worker can help answer questions about sexuality, intimacy, and how cancer treatment may change their abilities and desires. In addition, he or she can provide couples or other relationship counseling, during which people with cancer and their partners may talk about the emotional changes they are going through, how they want to handle those changes, and what kind of support they want from each other and from other people. Learn more about relationships and cancer.

Adjusting to life after treatment

Many people find that the months after completing cancer treatment are especially difficult. In addition to a slow physical recovery, there often are intense worries about future health and returning to a more normal life. Oncology social workers can continue to work with individuals through the period of survivorship, and many people find this an ideal time to process the experience. Others join a support group for survivors and find the best understanding and help from other people in similar situations. Read more about what comes next after finishing treatment.

The education of oncology social workers

Oncology social workers have a Masters in Social Work (MSW) degree from an accredited university, in addition to training in cancer care through continuing education and on-the-job experience. An oncology social worker is available to provide the confidential support and resources people want to help manage their cancer in a way that is respectful of their individual needs and wishes.

More Information

Caring for the Whole Patient

How to Find a Counselor

Additional Resources

National Association of Social Workers

Association of Oncology Social Work

Association of Pediatric Oncology Social Workers

Last Updated: September 28, 2009